Nitric oxide (NO) decomposition on catalysts, containing oxides of lanthanum and cerium, supported on γ-alumina

The present work was devoted to study the catalytic activity of lanthanum and cerium oxides separately, deposited on γ-alumina in the reaction of decomposition of nitric oxide. The catalyst samples were prepared by the method of impregnation of γ-Al2O3 using solutions, containing nitrates of lanthanum and cerium. The prepared samples were calcined for 4 h at temperature 650 °C in an oven in air atmosphere. The catalysts were characterized by: chemical analysis by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy, as well as measurement of the specific surface area. The results show that the catalysts based on lanthanum oxide and cerium oxide deposited on alumina display high catalytic activity over 60% conversion degree with respect to decomposition of nitric oxide in the absence of reducing agent. In the presence of reducer the activity reaches 90% conversion degree.